There is nothing new in hooligans creating a ruckus at the Feroz Shah Kotla over selection. But this time it has filtered to the junior ranks as well.

There is nothing new in hooligans creating a ruckus at the Feroz Shah Kotla over selection. But this time it has filtered to the junior ranks as well. The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) had announced their 14-member squad on Thursday for the upcoming u-19 Vinoo-Mankad series (see box). Wicket-keeper batsman Tarang Gupta’s name was missing from the list.

On Friday, when the players were busy attending their first training session at the stadium, Gupta’s father Rajeev Gupta came to thrash out the issue with Vinay Lamba, chairman of the selection committee.

Hindustan Times has learned that Gupta started arguing with Lamba over why his son was not selected. Dissatisfied with Lamba’s reply, Gupta started heckling him and tore his shirt.

It was finally the u-19 players themselves who came to Lamba’s rescue and dragged Gupta out of the DDCA premises. But Gupta was not ready to calm down and told players that he will come again. “Aaj to tumne bacha liya, mein kal fir do ghoont pi kar aaunga, fir marunga (You saved him today, tomorrow again I will get drunk and will beat him),” according to a player.

This is something even Gupta himself confirmed when contacted. “So what if they have logged a complaint against me, I will get bail and will beat them again and again,” said Gupta. “I will not tolerate any injustice against my son,” he added saying Tarang has scored more then 450 runs in the DDCA League and other local tournaments. As per record books, Tarang has 117 runs from six league matches and one DDCA Hot weather tournament match.

Later, DDCA filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against Gupta on behalf of Lamba.

DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan said: “Strict action will be taken in this case.” Sports Secretary Sunil Dev also endorsed Chauhan’s views and said: “We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour against any of our colleague and will take stern action.”